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Lee Arthur Smith pitched three seasons for the Red Sox, and yesterday, he was voted into the
National Baseball Hall of Fame by by the 16-person
Today's Game Committee and will be inducted this Summer. In his three Boston seasons, he posted a 12-7 record, with a 3.04 ERA and 58 saves. Over his 18 MLB seasons, Smith was about as intimidating as a closer can get. Lurking from the mound at 6'5" and 220 pounds, he was no 'walk in the park' for hitters to face. Smith collected 478 saves—and an ERA of 3.03. His 1.256 WHIP insured that he rarely got himself into jams in the ninth inning. He led the league in games finished in three seasons and led the league in saves in four. The 7-time All-Star ended up averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings—compiling 1,251 Ks in his career. Smith was a unanimous choice, receiving all sixteen votes on the committee, while former White Sox DH
Harold Baines received twelve votes, and will also be enshrined next summer. Congratulations, Lee on being among baseball's elite in
The Hall!
